The election of Harriet Harman as deputy leader of the Labour party, working alongside Gordon as leader, demonstrates that the party has an appetite for change. Not change for the sake of it, nor to go back to the days when we were unelectable, but a change in how we form policy and more importantly how we present our proposals to parliament and the wider public.

There was also a clear message from our party activists that they want and should be allowed a greater voice at the heart of our goverment. That is not to say that difficult decisions should be dealt with any differently, but perhaps we have to be clearer and take more time to explain why we are taking them. Foreign policy, for instance, requires greater clarity. Harriet has said consistently throughout the deputy leadership campaign that foreign policy decisions are far too important to be left to foreign office mandarins.

As someone who resigned my junior position in government over our reluctance to intervene earlier in the demolition and loss of civilian life in Lebanon, that resonated with me. I also believe that our intelligence gathering procedures need to be reviewed and scrutinised by senior well respected parliamentarians who should have access to all relevant information. parliament will be the better for it - and consequently the general public.

As chair of the party Harriet will be a unifying force and will be a progressive but pragmatic conduit for members views to be heard and listened to. Equally, I believe that she will remind us that our affiliated partners such as the trade unions are not there just to help fund the party. Their members concerns are important and must be taken into account when decisions affecting their workplaces are proposed.

Labour is at its best when it tackles bread and butter issues such as family life, and no one has done more that Harriet to prioritise and get on the political agenda issues that are important to the everyday life of families - childcare, minimum wage, worklife balance, health/education maternity/paternity leave and pay and equality of representation.

The deputy leadership contest has strengthened the party and credit must go to all the candidates for the way in which they campaigned. It demonstrated that Labour has many talents but with Harriet at the heart of the top team we can go on and win a fourth term. That is why I and many likeminded colleagues voted for her.